Fairy, please have some self-respect. I am not the reincarnation of your deceased husband.

[Ding! Host has encountered a tribulation, triggering core repair mechanism.]

[System under repair...]

Current progress: 8%

[Ding! The tribulation is being repaired...]

[Master-Apprentice Ratio: 15%]

[Received a reward...]

"?"

With just one sentence, system notifications kept ringing in Chen Lianshu's mind.

He just felt annoyed.

To everyone's surprise, Pei Wanyun didn't even bother to come up with a reason; she just confronted him directly.

These words were like a thunderclap exploding in his mind.

And it brought him an important message.

That is, the "simulation" he once experienced was the future.

At least in this "master-disciple" storyline, he is simulating the future.

"Hmm... I doubt you'd believe that."

Just as expected, her husband indeed looked completely bewildered.

But Pei Wanyun did not retract her words, and continued to explain with unwavering conviction:

"You might think... that I'm talking nonsense."

"But... whether you believe it or not, it's all true."

"I watched you rise step by step from the outer sect, watched your cultivation increase little by little, watched you..."

Her voice trailed off, and a hint of tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, but she quickly suppressed them.

"...growing to the point where the entire Jade Jade Sect takes notice."

"And I watched as you were plunged into danger because of me, and ultimately..."

He fell into a pool of blood.

Pei Wanyun ultimately kept their eventual union as Daoist partners a secret.

For Lian Shu, the future identity of "Master" was already hard to accept, let alone being both Master and Daoist partner.

And if he were to ask how they got to that point, she wouldn't know how to answer.

I can't very well answer her, "Master... you've become a disobedient disciple and a rebellious master."

After all, her husband and she were practically strangers, with no emotional foundation whatsoever.

Doing so would have the opposite effect.

Only by staying by his side in a suitable capacity, subtly stirring his heartstrings and nurturing feelings...

At that time, it won't matter whether it's a clash between master and disciple or vice versa.

It's not too late to reveal the truth then.

After all, the two are already together.

"..."

Chen Lianshu listened in silence.

The system reward notifications kept ringing, but he had no time to pay attention to them.

Even though Pei Wanyun didn't say anything, he had already guessed the ending.

Naturally, she died, the simulation ended, and she gained that memory.

That makes sense.

Why were her emotions so turbulent when we first met?

The reason was simple: he died for her.

"so…"

Before Pei Wanyun could finish speaking, the trembling and soreness in her voice became impossible to conceal:

"I have come to find you, wanting to take you as my disciple. This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a desire to rekindle our past relationship and make amends for my mistakes."

"Would you... be willing?"

Her expectations were undisguised, both in her eyes and in her words.

And she described this so-called "rekindling of a past relationship" in a very clever way.

It was said that they would continue their previous relationship, but it was not specified what kind of previous relationship it was.

A predestined relationship between master and disciple, or perhaps a predestined relationship between Daoist partners...

Before Chen Lianshu could respond, he quickly added:

"The outer sect of the Jade Jade Sect is vast, which is why I was able to find you."

"In this life, I want to protect you from the very beginning."

"I want to teach you swordsmanship, impart Taoist arts, provide you with resources, and let you..."

"Peak Master Pei, there's no need for further words..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Lianshu waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Your disciple is dull-witted and truly cannot understand what you are saying."

"...Yeah, that's true."

Pei Wanyun stopped speaking at the right moment, lowered her eyes sadly, and gripped the jade pendant engraved with her husband's name even tighter.

Although I feel resentful, I can understand it.

"After all, what I said is indeed beyond the realm of common sense."

Just as she thought her husband was politely declining, regretting her haste and lack of tact—

"but…"

A turning point has arrived.

Chen Lianshu paused, raised her eyes to meet the expectant gaze, and spoke softly, yet with remarkable clarity:

"If you are truly willing to accept me as your disciple..."

"I am truly honored to be your disciple."

After all, he had no reason to refuse.

There was no reason to refuse, whether it was to advance system repair, obtain rewards, or for the sake of his status as a true disciple of the peak master.

"really?!"

Pei Wanyun looked up at him in disbelief, her originally dim phoenix eyes brightening at a visible speed.

"Should this disciple begin to address you as 'Master' from this moment on?"

"Um."

Pei Wanyun smiled gently and replied respectfully:

"If you would call me 'Master' one more time, I would be completely satisfied."

[Master-Apprentice Ratio: 17%]

Judging from the progress of the repairs, she was far from satisfied.

Clearly, what she wanted was not just a simple "Master".

Instead, it's a more intimate term of address, a more intimate—bond.

"Master...?"

Chen Lianshu's voice was hesitant, but Pei Wanyun's heart trembled at the sound, as if it were heavenly music.

Her gentle smile deepened, and even the lingering red at the corners of her eyes made her even more captivating.

"Good disciple."

"In that case, please sit closer."

"There are some things I need to tell you."

"?"

Although Chen Lianshu did not understand the meaning, since the other party said so, there must be a reason for it.

He moved a little closer, but there was still a distance between them.

"..."

Pei Wanyun noticed this distance but didn't say anything or feel disappointed. She simply moved a little closer to the room without making it obvious.

Suddenly, a delicate fragrance, like that of a lotus flower, wafted in.

"You need not worry about anything; leave everything to your teacher."

"I will explain to the sect leader myself."

"You will stay here in this separate courtyard for the time being."

"You will soon be able to move to Jade Spirit Peak as a true disciple, and I will personally come to receive you then."

Pei Wanyun casually brushed Mu Qianxue aside, without even mentioning her, as if she didn't exist.

The meaning is obvious: she wanted her husband to pay attention to her as much as possible and ignore the "eldest disciple."

"Naturally, I will visit you often during this time to guide your cultivation."

Do you understand?

"Yes, disciple understands."

"Heh~ Good disciple."

Pei Wanyun chuckled gently, and then her jade-like hand naturally climbed onto Chen Lianshu's hand.

Although they weren't holding hands, their fingers were clasped very intimately.

And her other hand finally got its wish, gently touching her husband's cheek.

"?"

Chen Lianshu was about to dodge, but was stopped by that gentle voice.

"Don't move, I'm examining your current physical constitution."

"..."

Upon hearing this, he felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to let her touch him.

Pei Wanyun stroked down her cheek, gently kneaded her arm, then reached towards her chest, and finally moved to her waist…

She's lost some weight.

After examining almost her entire body, Pei Wanyun came to only one conclusion.

In fact, she didn't need to investigate Chen Lianshu's background at all.

She already knew everything about her husband's condition.

This is just an excuse to personally experience her husband's presence.

[Master-Apprentice Ratio: 18%]

"?"

Chen Lianshu was completely bewildered and had no idea why the progress had increased.

In just one day, the progress of the "Master-Disciple Line" almost caught up with the combined progress of the other two lines.

This is way too fast...

"cough!"

Sensing the increasingly awkward atmosphere, Pei Wanyun reluctantly stopped herself.

She coughed lightly to cover it up, saying:

"Alright, we've roughly figured it out."

That's all for today.

"I imagine you must also feel dazed."

Pei Wanyun knew when to stop.

After all, everything needs to be done "step by step," and if you push too hard...

My husband needs to be given some time to catch his breath.

"I will go and inform the sect leader immediately."

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

"Then may I ask, Master..."

Chen Lianshu asked:

"Who will harm this disciple in the future?"

"What was my cultivation level before I died?"

After all, it concerns his life and death, so we can't help but care.

"This…"

Pei Wanyun hesitated slightly.

"You should focus on your cultivation first, and we'll discuss this later."

"This matter... is somewhat complicated, but I will not harm you."

"And your future cultivation will surpass that of your master."

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

"Mu..."

As soon as the word "Mu" was uttered, Pei Wanyun interrupted her.

"Mu Yatou is your senior sister, and she will always be your senior sister."

"Disciple understands."

Actually, that wasn't what Chen Lianshu wanted to ask.

But since she said that, it wasn't appropriate to ask any more questions.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Before parting, Pei Wanyun paused, as if thinking of something, and then gave some instructions:

"By the way, don't tell your senior sister about this yet."

"Yes."

"Respectfully seeing off our Master."

Chen Lianshu bowed and bid farewell to his master.

Pei Wanyun did not immediately go to find the sect leader, after all, there was no rush to take Lian Shu as a disciple, and it would not be too late to talk about it tomorrow.

The most urgent thing right now...

"..."

She subconsciously tightened her grip on the jade pendant.

She needed to determine whether her "good disciple" possessed memories, just like her.